The Aspen Chapel Gallery has launched its latest exhibition, "Tell It Like It Is," celebrating journalistic principles and the fundamental right to freedom of the press. This marks the gallery's 262nd exhibition and its third show in its 40th anniversary year. The event features a collection of works with themes related to communication, free speech, and the pursuit of truth.
The exhibition opened with a reception on Wednesday, September 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It is located in the basement of the chapel at 77 Meadowood Drive. The show highlights the gallery's ongoing commitment to supporting local nonprofits and fostering community engagement through art.
Key Takeaways
- "Tell It Like It Is" exhibition focuses on press freedom and truth.
- The show is the 262nd for Aspen Chapel Gallery and its third in 40 years.
- Aspen Journalism is the nonprofit partner, receiving 20% of sponsorships and 10% of sales.
- Exhibition features 13 artists, including Amy Beidleman, Tim Cooney, and Judy Haas.
- A panel discussion on freedom of speech is scheduled for November 5.
Art and Journalism Unite for Truth
Curator Amy Beidleman explained the inspiration behind the exhibition's theme. She stated that the gallery aims to use art to convey important messages, especially regarding current events. "Our partnerships bring attention and money to the partnering entity and often they’ll bring a theme to the table and that’s what we’ve done with Aspen Journalism," Beidleman said.
The focus on truth and free speech comes at a crucial time. Beidleman noted that free speech has faced challenges in the country. The exhibition provides a platform to explore what these concepts mean in contemporary society. While not all art pieces directly relate to the theme, many works explore aspects of the press, communication, and related issues.
Gallery Milestones
- 40th Year: The Aspen Chapel Gallery celebrates four decades of operation.
- 262nd Exhibition: "Tell It Like It Is" is a significant milestone in the gallery's history.
- Nonprofit Partnerships: Since 2018, the gallery has partnered with 35 nonprofits and 5 high school art departments.
- Total Donations: Over $81,002 has been donated to partner organizations.
Partnership with Aspen Journalism
For this specific exhibition, the Aspen Chapel Gallery has partnered with Aspen Journalism, a local nonprofit news organization. This collaboration underscores the shared goal of both entities: to pursue and share truth with the community. Curtis Wackerle, editor and executive director of Aspen Journalism, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership.
"Freedom of the press is under siege, news organizations are being threatened, journalists are being vilified for their work and the Aspen Chapel wanted to show their support," Wackerle stated. "It’s a good match because we’re both very locally focused and the visual arts and journalism are different mediums but they are two ways at getting to the truth and sharing it with others. We’re very excited to be a part of the show."
The gallery's model involves donating a portion of its proceeds to its nonprofit partners. Specifically, 20% of sponsorships and 10% of art sales from "Tell It Like It Is" will go directly to Aspen Journalism. This financial support helps sustain local journalism efforts.
About Aspen Chapel Gallery
The Aspen Chapel Gallery, established in June 1985, has served as a vital cultural hub in the Roaring Fork Valley for 40 years. It consistently hosts exhibitions that engage with community issues and support local artists. The gallery's commitment to partnering with nonprofits began in 2018, leading to significant contributions to various local causes.
Featured Artists and Their Interpretations
The exhibition showcases the work of 13 artists. These artists include Amy Beidleman, John Bozza, Jake Bozza, Tim Cooney, Judy Haas, Molly Haberman, Larkin Horn, Shelley Safiie Marolt, Greg McFadden, Gaard Moses, Will Oakley, Karin Teague, and Andre Wille. Each artist brings a unique perspective to the overarching theme.
Amy Beidleman's Historical Layers
Curator Amy Beidleman also contributed artwork to the show. Her piece, "The Aspen Daily Times October 1, 1885," literally embodies the theme. Beidleman used old Aspen newspapers as a base. She then painted local elements, such as Aspen branches and birds, over the newsprint. This technique allows viewers to see the historical text beneath the painted images, adding layers of meaning.
"I am a watercolor painter so I had to create a special surface to be able to paint on the newsprint and what’s unique about it is that you can kind of see the newsprint underneath the paintings," Beidleman explained. This approach visually connects past and present narratives, emphasizing the enduring nature of news and local stories.
Judy Haas's Embellished Icons
Judy Haas, a multimedia artist born and raised in Aspen, presents works that embellish iconic images. Haas, who now owns a gallery in Telluride, is known for enhancing posters with Swarovski crystals and diamond dust. Her previous work includes rock iconography and movie posters.
For "Tell It Like It Is," Haas has applied her unique style to pieces like Herbert Bayer’s "Ski Aspen" poster, Buckminster Fuller’s "Dymaxion World," and Tom Benton’s "American Dream." Her participation in this local exhibition holds personal significance. "I am deeply honored to participate in a local exhibition in Aspen, a community where I was born and raised," Haas said. "Over the years, I have dedicated myself to the arts, studying and apprenticing with well-known artists and showing my work throughout the Roaring Fork Valley."
The Bozza Father-Son Duo
The exhibition also features the work of a father-and-son artistic pair: John and Jake Bozza. John Bozza is a sculptor, while Jake Bozza's art involves various printing methods. Jake uses woodblock, screen printing, and contemporary collagraph printing techniques. He describes his art as a blend of travel imagery and subtle everyday details.
Jake Bozza shared that his artistic journey began at a young age, influenced by his father's art practice. "I was born and raised in the valley and had a lot of influential art teachers from preschool, middle school and high school," he said. "I’ve grown up with many longtime local people from my parent’s friends to coworkers who have influenced me in one way or another."
Kenny's Poetic Visuals
Another artist, Kenny, describes her creative process as visuals derived from poetry. She uses writing as a form of sketch, returning to her notes for inspiration. Both the poetry and the visual art develop in tandem, building off each other.
Kenny hopes her work encourages others to create. "Whether it’s writing, painting, weaving or making music, making art is such an important way to document identity and how our struggles and revelations can be made both moving and beautiful," she stated. "Art-making has the ability to document a more authentic collective history of our time period in a way that social media could never replicate. I believe art nourishes empathy." Kenny recently moved to take a position at Princeton University but found the Roaring Fork Valley arts community to be inclusive and supportive during her three years there.
Upcoming Panel Discussion
To further engage with the exhibition's themes, the Aspen Chapel Gallery will host a panel discussion on November 5. This event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The panel will include journalists, artists, and audience members, fostering a dialogue on freedom of speech, truth, and the role of both art and journalism in society.
Beidleman expressed her hope that the art not only pleases viewers visually but also prompts reflection. "I hope my work makes them think about what we’re presenting," she said. "We try to bring in current events and what’s going on, but we also try to have enjoyable art that’s visually pleasing. I hope that somebody can disappear into my art and enjoy it for a minute."
The exhibition runs for several weeks, offering multiple opportunities for the public to visit and engage with the diverse artwork and its important message.